‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you’
(see Matthew 26:14-25)
The United Kingdom is a destination country for men, women and children primarily from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe who are subjected to human trafficking for the purposes of sexual slavery and forced labour. Whilst the maximum jail sentence for a human tracking violation is 14 years, the amount of money that traffickers outweigh the risks. The reported sales value of a victim in the UK is usually between £3000 and £4000. The revenue generated by one sex worker was estimated to be £48,000.
In the gospel reading today, a price is put on the life of Jesus of 30 pieces of silver. Plans are in place, made through a financial transaction. Jesus’ movements are known and soon he will be handed over, his identity marked by a kiss. He will be hurried away from the space he has carved out for prayer in Gethsemane. Throughout the night there will be an exchange of words. He will be moved from pillar to post as he offers his back to those who struck him, his cheeks at those who tore at his beard, he will not cover his face against insult and spittle. He will be bartered for and eventually exchanged with the crowd for an arrested criminal called Barabbas. Justice is manipulated.
First, though, Jesus will sit to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. He has given them instructions to prepare the place where this will happen. At table, he will give them a gesture of love, a command to love, which has continued to this day and in our own lives as we celebrate the Eucharist in obedience to him. Through this Eucharist, we receive all the benefits of Christ’s Death and Resurrection. We proclaim his death until he comes again. In laying down his life for us, he has shown what we are worth. As we receive the Sacrament of his Body and Blood, we are recalled to our dignity as human beings, and our calling to treat others with dignity too. Human Beings are not commodities. We are made in God’s image. In the Eucharist, the only exchange is love.
MAKE THE CONNECTION: This reflection is based on the readings from today’s Mass on Monday 5 April. Mass is celebrated here today at St Paul’s Church, Grangetown at 10am, St Mary the Virgin, Butetown at 11am, and St Saviour’s Church, Splott at 7pm
Our daily reflections for Lent focus on the many injustices which exist in our world, as we seek to connect our life of prayer to social justice, the Justice of God which Christ proclaimed. More resources are available at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/just-lent
South Cardiff Ministry Area 